Originally Posted By phruby So Disney spends a billion on the park and adds alot of eye candy and new rides and Disney relaunches it. What if the park still fails?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper If the park still fails (it won't), then you can kiss an substantial investment in the stateside parks goodbye for a long, long time.
Originally Posted By crapshoot Look, just switching out the "Farm District" for CARS is enough to generate interest. Add everything else including the new vibe and DCA will hold its own gate wise. DCA will mimic Disneyland's hours this summer, so the "who gets turnstile credit" will now be on a level playing field.
Originally Posted By SafariRob No way it fails a second time. The "buzz" is completely different this time. BVS is gorgeous and Carsland is one of the most well-themed lands I have ever seen (based on pictures). Add WOC/PP improvements and it is a far cry from what it was. Hollywoodland needs help and the parks needs some more high-capacity dark rides...but I wouldn't be surprised if that was in the works.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Please don't get mad at me, but what exactly is the measure for "failure"? All the media reports I've read say that the park "failed" because DCA only gets less than half the number of visitors as DL, yet the fact is DCA was never intended to get that many people in the first place. I'm curious to know what Disney's financial and attendance goals are for DCA going forward.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip If the new DCA "fails" I'll be more convinced than ever that Southern Californians live in the land of "LA LA".
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Please don't get mad at me, but what exactly is the measure for "failure"? All the media reports I've read say that the park "failed" because DCA only gets less than half the number of visitors as DL, yet the fact is DCA was never intended to get that many people in the first place. I'm curious to know what Disney's financial and attendance goals are for DCA going forward.>> True. The addition of DCA, the Grand Californian Hotel and Downtown Disney turned Disneyland into a true multi-day destination for non-resident tourists. That in itself is a significant accomplishment (one which would obviously be unappreciated by the locals).
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<I'm curious to know what Disney's financial and attendance goals are for DCA going forward.>> Other than inflationary effects, I don't see how it's attendance and financial goals would be much different than DCA 1.0. They've added 12 acres to the park. That would account for a slightly higher capacity factor. More POS stations were added. Beyond that, the biggest cash cow for DCA will more than likely be typical resort priced booze.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Other than inflationary effects, I don't see how it's attendance and financial goals would be much different than DCA 1.0. They've added 12 acres to the park. That would account for a slightly higher capacity factor. More POS stations were added." That's true, but operating costs are surely much higher now with WoC, new attractions, more restaurants, more entertainment, the Mad T Party, a larger workforce, etc.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Well at least one local journalist seems to think that DCA is now better than the park next door. "As an on-again-off-again annual passholder over the past decade or so, I can say that Disneyland's younger sibling – now unveiling the final pieces of a $1 billion renovation – finally has that critical mass, so California Adventure has more energy and appeal than the "Happiest Place on Earth." Today's visitors to the newer park get everything from intriguing theme-park basics to high-end thrills to a wonderful eye-candy light show. That's plenty enough to overcome the strong emotions and fabulous storytelling that the original park can drum up." <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/entertainment/california-358875-adventure-park.html" target="_blank">http://www.ocregister.com/ente...ark.html</a>
Originally Posted By crapshoot <<That's true, but operating costs are surely much higher now with WoC, new attractions, more restaurants, more entertainment, the Mad T Party, a larger workforce, etc.>> Well put.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I still think that DCA needs to add a few smaller, dark ride style attractions before it could ever really compete with DL.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I think there's a plan to build one next to TSMM. The entrance will be where Maliboomer used to be.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance What makes you say that? I also think they need to add to the Hollywood Land section of the park.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "What makes you say that?" I read it somewhere that the little park is temporary and that Disney has plans to develop the dead space into an entrance for dark ride in the future. "I also think they need to add to the Hollywood Land section of the park." There's lot's of opportunity there. The soundstage that used to house Who Wants To Be A Millionaire could be converted into an attraction along with warehouse space that's being used for the Mad T Party arcade games. I've also read rumors about a redo of Sunset Blvd that would finally enclose the waiting are of the Hyperion and do away with the movie studio backdrop at the end of Hollywood Blvd. Here's the concept art that was displayed at Blue Sky Cellar: http://www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/80088-2/10_08_WDI_9006.JPG
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Sorry. www.mouseplanet.info/gallery/d/80088-2/10_08_WDI_9006.JPG
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I read it somewhere that the little park is temporary and that Disney has plans to develop the dead space into an entrance for dark ride in the future.>> I've heard that as well. Some people have said the Ratatouille ride is a possibility there.
Originally Posted By SafariRob >>I still think that DCA needs to add a few smaller, dark ride style attractions before it could ever really compete with DL.<< Agreed. Dark rides and water rides. Ariel should have been a boat ride...but I digress.
